Once again Seahawks fans have been faced with an extended break between games, and in this case the time was very eventful. We saw news of an impending Brandon Browner suspension, the suspension of Walter Thurmond, a setback for Percy Harvin‘s hip. I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving, or a happy week of whatever for those of you that are reading this in other countries. Because of the holiday weekend we’re trying to fit a large round peg, this writing, into a smaller, albeit still round hole. That sounds gross, but basically this week’s preview will be short.

The Saints are good. Almost unquestionably the second best team in the NFC, with a good opportunity to make an argument for top billing with a win over the Seahawks. Drew Brees and the Saints offensive scheme have done a lot to turn lesser receivers into good talents, and the Saints receivers, mostly small guys who are quick in and out of cuts, could give the Seahawks fits. A larger concern though, for nearly every team in the NFL, is Jimmy Graham. Graham is a tight end that used to be a basketball player, stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but has grown into perhaps the best receiver in the NFL period, with all apologies to Calvin Johnson. Graham already has 946 yards and 11 touchdowns this year, and the Seahawks have a linebacking corps that has a tendency to get abused in coverage.

At one time this season this game looked like it would rival the Seahawks two matchups with the 49ers as the toughest, and arguably most important matchups of the season. San Francisco hasn’t held up their end of the bargain, but the Saints stand between the Seahawks and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. We saw a lesser Seahawks team beat the Saints in Seattle a couple of years ago, so home field is definitely a big deal.